Russian president OKs ban on smoking in public places

Polls say 40% of Russian adults smoke in one of the highest levels in the world.

Women smoke cigarettes at a shopping center in Moscow in February. President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill banning smoking in public places in Russia, which has among the highest percentages of smokers.(Photo: Misha Japaridze, AP)

Russia Todayreported that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev released an Internet video in October that said smoking claims 400,000 Russia lives every year.

The ban, which takes effect June 1, would include all public sites, including government buildings, health care and educational facilities, cultural sites, sports stadiums and on public transport, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

It will be extended to cover all smoking in restaurants, trains and hotel after one year.

The bill also bars the display of tobacco products in shops and their sale in retail kiosks beginning in 2014.

Russia Today reported that beginning in the summer 2014 the depiction of smoking on television and in movies will only be allowed if smoking is an inseparable part of the character's image.

An attempt to ban so-called smoking rooms at workplaces was not included in the final version of the bill that was pasted by the Duma and upper chamber in early February.